Mixtape · 1994

The Year In Rap

hip-hop mixtape year in rap laze 1994

Tracklist

1Laze - The Year in Rap 1994 - Side A44:04
2Laze - The Year in Rap 1994 - Side B44:45

About

The third entry in The Year in Rap series features everyone you might expect to be featured on a “best singles and soundtrack appearances” compilation from 1994: Saafir, Organized Konfusion, Jeru, O.C., Ras Kass, and E-Rule along with a couple of surprises (bet you weren’t expecting Fesu, were you?). This collection features a number of “Remix Lites” done by yours truly. What’s a “Remix Lite”? It’s essentially the original song with a few extra samples layered on top (dig the Curtis Mayfield loop over Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”). One track you’ve probably never heard is the Hip Hop Central Remix of Saafir’s “Light Sleeper.” As far as I know, this compilation is the only place anywhere this version of the song is available. It was produced by David J. Warner, an alt.rap original and former host of the “Hip-Hop Central” radio show out of Bloomington, Indiana. I haven’t spoken with David in more than a decade and have no clue where he is these days. It’s a mighty dope remix, though. The sole drop on this one comes courtesy of Michael Franti of Spearhead. Liner notes are much less embarrassing this time around, aside from a swipe I took at the Digable Planets for being assholes to me when I tried to interview them. Not that I hold a grudge or anything. (Years later I interviewed Ladybug Mecca in an interview that was so strange it couldn’t be published.) Cover art again courtesy of Devo Spice .

Source ID: TheYearInRap1994